Sunflower Seeds

The sunflower seed is small flat and oval in shape. The inner part of the seed is beige in color, and it is covered up in a grey or black shell. They have a tender and nutty taste. The seeds can be eaten while raw or roasted.

The seeds are nutritious and help in curing some illnesses such as arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, and osteoarthritis. In addition, it also helps lower the chance of having cancer.

Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

Rich in Good Fats

The fats in these seeds are monounsaturated fats. The unsaturated fats provide protection to the heart. People who are advised to feed on foods with low fats can take sunflower seeds to meet their fat requirement in the body. These fats are useful in reducing the level of cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein and maintain the essential level of cholesterol.

The sunflower seeds are an excellent source of proteins. It helps in providing the body with the essential amino acids, which are vital in building, and maintaining healthy body tissues and repairing the damaged tissues. People who are vegetarians or do not eat meat can feed on the seeds to provide the body with enough proteins.

Rich in Antioxidants

These seeds are a good source of vitamin E. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps get rid of harmful radicals. It also helps in ensuring that the blood flows smoothly and reduce chances of clotting. In addition, it also helps reduce chances of inflammation, which is because of arthritis and asthma. Another component contained in the seeds is selenium. It works along with vitamin E as an antioxidant and helps in controlling the growth of cancerous cells. This ensures that the body gets protection from cancer and other diseases.

Contains Vitamin B and Minerals

Vitamin B can also be obtained from the seeds. The vitamins are of different forms. Folate is a naturally occurring form of folic acid. It is responsible for cell growth and reproduction. It is responsible for the formation of RNA and DNA. It is also vital in the formation of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. These cells help in the transportation of oxygen through the body. The vitamin also prevents heart related illness. Thiamine and niacin are other forms of vitamin B contained in the sunflower seeds.

These seeds supply some of the vital minerals to the body. Some of these minerals include iron, copper and zinc. Copper helps in enriching the body with energy since it plays the role of transporting oxygen to the red blood cells. Iron is the main component of the hemoglobin. It is required to carry oxygen from the lings to every cell in the body. Zinc is a mineral that helps in strengthening the immune system and helps in healing up wound and fighting any infection.

Other nutrients on the seeds include phytosterol. This helps in preventing cancer and other dangerous diseases. It provides good level of fiber that is essential for lowering the level of cholesterol in the body and prevents constipation.